How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

The surgery is a helping hand, not a free ride. You must work for your goal. This I mean for the rest of your life. The results are awesome. I know for all those years of being free from the prison of fat was wonderful. Energy like you could never believe. Acceptence to society was hard at first because it was so new after never having been truly accepted for whom I really am . No one looks past the fat. I wish with all my heart that all insurances would understand this surgery is a medical necessity and not cosmetic, therefore granted approvale without batting an eye.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

Since the accident I've been on Medicaid. Before I had an HMO Medicaid. They would not approve the WLS for the deemed it cosmetic. Once I went to a straight Medicaid I was approved with the first letter from the doctor. It took 2 weeks.

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

First I needed a revison. Two doctors refused because they had not had great luck with revisions. I, also, suspected I had a hernia and knew any doctor would have to do 2 surgeries at the same time.I had researched what was needed and came prepared with my psych. evaluation, 2 weeks worth of what I had eaten, and a list of questions for the doctor.Dr.Tillquist didn't even bat an eye as to what I thought I needed done. He never looked at his watch the whole time I was there. He is wonderful!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I spent the almost 10 years trying to get well after my auto accident. My weight kept creeping on. I started looking for a doctor 20 months to my surgery. I waited 10 months to see the first doctor and then to be turned down. I waited 5 months to see the next one to be turned down for the same reason. I had given up when someone emailed me about Dr. Tilquist. I had my first visit to him within 2 weeks and surgery 2 1/2 months later. He saved my life. Oh, the hernia the others politely hinted was in my head turned out to be the size of a peach and tucked up under the ribs right where I said it hurt.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had no choice but to have an Open RNY.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

I have no fear of dying. I expected some kind of complications for any surgery usually has some kind or other. I have told others not to fear dying. It is the only choice some of us fat people have. We will die if we don't have the surgery so why not try to help yourself. I proved over 20 years ago WLS works. The RNY is the easiest one.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

I had the first WLS when my children were little. They had never known me fat. They would come across photos and wondered who that person was. They are all adults now with children of their own. They had the normal reaction to my having surgery of any kind, not just WLS. They have seen me struggle over the last 10 years and knew this was my only chance of bettering my life and they were and still are very supportive.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

I am retired.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

My stay was fine. The hospital staff took very good care of me. I was there for 11 days due to pneumonia. Toothbrush, hair brush, warm robe, slippers and warm socks were the things I needed most.Everything else is provided.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

Pneumonia and vomiting. I did whatever the staff wanted of me. Together we made me comfortable.I am due for one more surgery. This is to remove a bone I grew between my rib cage. It's quite uncomfortable since I am short waisted and it interfers while bending over or after eating.It is painful.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I felt wonderful! Once I had my surgery date I knew that shortly I would be on my way to being healthy again. I just wanted the weeks to pass quickly. I kept myself as busy as possible. The closer I got to my date the happier I felt.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

Outside of the oxygen, it is a normal healing period. You do have some pain from the suture area. That gets better with each passing day. I planned my liquids and meals and kept myself busy.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

40 miles round trip. Not to far to affect aftercare.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

White grapes act like an laxative. I have to avoid gasy veggies. I have terrible trouble with upper and lower gas. My taste in foods has changed. Foods I loved I no longer care for. Foods I avoided before the RNY I now like. I can only drink coffee in the morning instead of all day long as before. It is trial and error on what foods can be tolerated. One day you can eat it and the next day you can't stand the taste or the tummy flips. I don't do well with sour things. I still get heartburn with catsup and other products. I can eat food made with chopped whole tomato, but not canned tomato sauce. Milk, which I loved, I can't stand for it seems to leave a coating in my mouth. I didn't get any dumping problems, but sweets have never been a problem.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

I had no energy before the WLS. Just changing my bed made me gasp for air. I could not mop or run the vac without gasping. I hadn't been to the basement in years and unable to walk steps of more than 3 or 4 stairs. I've lost over 80 lbs and can go downstairs and do my own laundry. I do my own housework and can breath normally. I just went to the Fair and walked up hill and down without problems. I do light yard work. My energy level is about a 7 or 8 out of 10. I have 30 more pounds and hope to be at a level 10 by then.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

I found that prenatal vitamins for pregnant ladies have what I need. I take monthly B-12 shots, as well. Whey protein shakes.

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

Vomiting lasted a solid 4 months or so. I,now, at a year out have what I call "tummy flips" when things don't agree with me, but no actual vomiting. I have not had dumping of any kind. Hair loss started around the 3-4th month. It lasted a short while. I increased my protein intake. I just took everything in stride. I know the body will do what it will do for as long as it takes before it is use to the new you. I find the upper and lower gas and the odor to be the worst of it all for it continues to this day. Plateaus are another story.

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

Surgery is surgery. You will have pain. You have to learn a new way to live your life so outside of all of that there wasn't any surprises as far as surgery goes. You lose great and then hit a plateau and everything comes to a halt. This can go on as long as a week or two to three months.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

I don't. This was a revision. My first WLS was in 1972. I've learned the tricks of the trade over the years. Let this be known that an auto accident in 1991 caused part of the stapling to dislodge and caused the weight gain. I lived the life of a 135 lb woman for 20 years and still would be so if the accident had not happened. I think for some people it is neccesary to go to groups. The best place to learn how to live a different life is with other people going through what you are. In the '70s there wasn't a support group for WLS patients. It was a new type of surgery back then. I learned on my own what worked for me and what didn't. I worked hard to stay thin for I never wanted to live a fat person's life ever again. I have no plans on abusing the RNY, either. I just want my life I grew to love back again.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

It goes from between the breast to below where the naval use to be. It's a normal scar. Still reddish in places. Still has a spot that itches. It's as I knew it would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit 3 of them in this year. One lasting 5 weeks...one 3 months...and I am in my 4th week of one without weight loss. I'm not big into breads nor pastas. Never been a sweet hound. Can't seem to understand why it happens. My food in take and the kinds of things I eat have not changed since I was losing great and in the thros of a plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People do treat you different. Before people acted as if being obese is a sign of lazziness or over eating. A sin. Or you are ignored. After you slim down you are accepted anywhere you go. Why? I have no idea.